Excal 1000 users - Do you find it productive to dig...

[JIMBOAK]

the threshold 'null' sound. (or lack of sound)

I understand this momentary lack of threshhold sound to signify an iron object. Yet, when air testing over some gold earring hoops and as you raise the coil higher you can go from a tone to the 'null' sound.
I've started digging some of these and have found objects other than iron. Now I'm wondering if I'm missing gold by not digging these 'nulls'. (I have disc set to '0'.)

Also, does anyone hunt in pinpoint mode??

Thanks in advance for your input... HH

 

[Steve in PR]

You always take a chance when you choose to ignore any tone. To my thinking, it is a matter of how much I trust what the machine is telling me. I do not dig nulls because I do believe that they are not anything other than ferrous. I tested this theory a few times when I first had it in the water and 100% ferrous was the result.

I am sure there are exceptions but I think they are few and far between. If I wanted to dig everything, I would have bought a PI machine.

I have enough confidence in my Excal to leave the nulls alone. I've been using it for 9 months now and I think the results speak for themself.

For me, training my ear for the "right" tones is the most important concern I have.

 

[John (west central FL)]

It is possible for a nonferrous target to null in highly mineralized sand. Dig some deep nulls and see if you get any nonferrous items.

John

 

[ron sveum]

n/t

 

[Steve and Bia]

There is no accurate way to air test the Excalibur. It just doesn't do it!

Jimboak, when I get the null sound it's usually junk. Steve in PR said it best. When I first started with my Excal I found the volume setting would make or break a good reading. When the volume is low some good readings will null out. I keep my volume at max level and now I have a lot more confidence with null readings. I'm sure it's garbage.

Sometimes I hunt in Pin Point but only when I'm trying to locate a faint target. In fact, I dug a huge 925 ring about 2 feet deep using pin point. The target was weak and a low tone but I could only read it one time. After a wave came I couldn't get a second reading on it no matter how slow I passed the coil over it. When I swithched to pin point I was able to target the ring and scoop it. I was suprised how deep it was.

 

[Steve in PR]

Makes the Excal similar to a PI machine in pinpoint!

 

[Morris]

n/t

 

[Steve and Bia]

I doubt any similarity in performace exists when in pinpoint, although it doesn't discriminate at all in that mode. I think it was pure luck and 25 years of digg'n dirt that helped me get this ring. I nabbed it at the Boardwalk Hotel at Virginia Beach. I remember scooping for atleast 10 minutes. When it popped out I thought it was a part of galvanized pipe until I washed it off at the hotel. Boy was I suprised. Isn't it funny how that happens? I'm sure others have similar stories.

The ring on the right is Bia's Sandy Point Maryland find. It's about a size 7. I guess the 925 to be a 10 or 11. Look at the size of that thing!

 

[galarzd]

I use my excal in pinpoint always!!! I know its more sensative. That said I do change to disc (set@3) to check most targets never digging the nulls.

 

[Steve in PR]

A very big guy, I imagine. Really big! I like Bia's find too!